They are places where families find each other, where the most precious children in the world get a new home, and where we can be reminded that adoption is more than a series of legal documents. It’s a process of becoming a family, and of being loved unconditionally. And it’s a beautiful thing.
That said, I think we all have some pretty serious misconceptions about adoption agencies.
The first misconception is that they are a necessary evil, a necessary middleman in the adoption process. This perception is reinforced by a number of adoption myths we’ve heard since birth. We think that if we just adopt our own babies, we’ll save the orphanage, make our children “special,” and make the adoption agencies “look bad.”
But the truth is that adoption agencies are here to serve their clients, not the other way around. Their clients are the ones who need their services. Adoption agencies have been fighting against these myths for decades.
In fact, the reality is that adoption agencies are a critical part of any adoption story. They’re there to ensure that every adoption process is fair and transparent and above all safe. And if we don’t trust them, then we’re not trusting the system that gives us our kids.
Adoption Myth #1: My family could adopt without an adoption agency.
The reality is that we would have needed an adoption agency for any adoption we’ve ever done, or any adoption we’d like to do in the future. We’d need to apply to an adoption agency. They’d give us a packet of forms to fill out. We’d sign them, and the agency would send the paperwork off to the local court.
And that’s it. There would be no additional cost, no additional paperwork, and no more hassle.
But what would have happened is that our family would have been put on the waiting list, and we’d probably have never gotten to see our son. That would have been a huge problem.
So instead of putting our own family through that process, we’ve chosen to work with an adoption agency. And that means that our son has a chance to be part of our family.
Adoption Myth #2: You can’t adopt your own child.
You absolutely can. And you should. Because when it comes down to it, we all know what’s best for our children.
Most of us have already decided that we’d like to be parents. But in order to do that, we need to have the opportunity to see if we’re the right fit. That’s why the government created adoption agencies.
We can’t even imagine how much better the adoption process would be if the government had adopted us.
Adoption Myth #3: An adoption agency gets paid whether or not your family adopts.
You’ve probably heard this one. You know, the idea that adoption agencies are making money off of the adoption process, and that adoption agencies are greedy and only care about themselves and their profits.
But the truth is that adoption agencies are actually there to protect the interests of the children. The truth is that adoption agencies are there to make sure that every adoption is safe, that every adoption is fair, and that every adoption is transparent.
Adoption Myth #4: An adoption agency gets paid when they find you a baby.
Adoption Myth #5: An adoption agency gets paid for every adoption.
Adoption Myth #6: An adoption agency gets paid for every adoption.
Adoption Myth #7: The adoption agency is in control of the adoption process.
The truth is that the adoption agency has no power over the process.
The adoption agency is there to make sure that every adoption is fair and safe. The adoption agency is there to keep the public informed, and to make sure that every adoption goes smoothly.
Adoption Myth #8: An adoption agency gets paid no matter what.
The reality is that adoption agencies are not getting paid no matter what.
Adoption agencies are paid based on the number of adoptions they produce. So the more adoptions they produce, the more they get paid.
Adoption Myth #9: Your child will be adopted.
I’ve heard this one a lot. I’ve heard it from adoptive parents and from prospective parents.
We all want our children to be adopted. We all know that there are so many kids out there who are waiting for a forever family.
And we also know that our own families are full.
So we’re grateful for the opportunity to be parents.
Adoption Myth #10: The adoption agency makes money by selling your baby.
Adoption Myth #11: The adoption agency is in control of the adoption process.
The truth is that the adoption agency is there to make sure that every adoption is fair and safe. The adoption agency is there to make sure that every adoption goes smoothly. The adoption agency is there to help you throughout the entire process.